Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath holding a press conference. He is expected to respond to charges made by the BJP that the EC has been unfair in stopping two rallies to be held by Narendra Modi in Varanasi today.

Sampath says that the EC is disappointed at the BJP's response. "We have discharged our duty with impartiality and neutrality," he says. "Many parties have questioned the  integrity of the EC and its neutrality. We appeal to parties and senior leaders to show maturity when referring to the EC. We are not scared of any party or entity.  We are disappointed that a national party should embark on such a protest," says Sampath.